Twenty put end to latest Caltex strike

Petrol station workers who were back on strike on Friday returned to work yesterday as they prepare to file a complaint to the Ministry of Labour against US-owned Caltex over alleged rights abuse.

Yoeun Reth, one of 20 Caltex workers striking on Friday, said yesterday that the workers had reluctantly agreed to go back to the pumps.

“We had to force ourselves back to work, because we are so angry … that the company seemed to prohibit our right to protest or strike in the future,” he said.

Last week, Caltex management offered to raise wages by $20 a month and not withhold pay owed for time off during the strike, which began earlier this month.

“The strike will occur again one day if the company continues to abuse the workers,” Reth said, adding that the employees had to thumbprint a document agreeing to go back to work or risk losing their jobs.